Francis Bacon and <i>Plain</i> Scientific Prose: A Reexamination

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Apr 1985

Francis Bacon and <i>Plain</i> Scientific Prose: A Reexamination

Carol S. Lipson

Abstract

Though historical scholarship in technical writing has been sparse, what is available on Francis Bacon has tended to focus on Bacon's influence in directing scientific discourse toward the use of plain prose. This article shows that in many ways, Bacon's theory of rhetoric for specialized, knowledge-seeking fields directly conflicts with that of those who support plain prose for these fields. In addition, the rhetorical method Bacon utilized in presenting the theory has subverted the effect of much of his theory. Consequently, it is not surprising that Bacon's actual theory differs both from what was transferred to the Royal Society and from posterity's interpretation of it.

Journal: Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published: 1985-04-01
DOI: 10.2190/h7qa-a2pp-6naw-jdlq
Topics: technical communication

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (4)

HAGGE (1995)

Early Engineering Writing Textbooks and the Anthropological Complexity of Disci…

Written Communication
RIVERS (1994)

Studies in the History of Business and Technical Writing

Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Lipson (1990)

Ancient Egyptian Medical Texts: A Rhetorical Analysis of Two of the Oldest Papyri

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Zappen (1989)

Francis bacon and the historiography of scientific rhetoric

Rhetoric Review

Cites in this index (0)

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Also cites 4 works outside this index ↓

10.2307/356123

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10.2190/NETC10

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10.2190/NETC9

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10.1177/002194368302000105

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